Things to do in Lima, Peru

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Peru is an adventure paradise

Tropical jungles, ancient cities high in the mountains and beautiful beaches – Peru has it all.

Things to do in Peru

Homeland of the Incas, Peru is a treasure-trove of lost artefacts and spectacular mountaintop temples. You can trek through jungle, swim in high-altitude lakes and explore some of the most diverse landscapes on the planet.

Visit the Sacred Valley and the Inca Trail, culminating at Machu Picchu deep within the Andes. Search jungles for local flora and fauna, before heading on a canoe ride down the Amazon river. Learn about the culture of the Incas at the enigmatic Nazca Lines, before travelling to Cuzco to see Incan influences on modern Peruvian life. Or dine in award-winning restaurants in Lima, Peru’s sprawling capital city, where hip Peruvians know how to have a good time. There’s so much to see in this fantastic country, you will find something new (or old) around every corner.

Nightlife in Lima

The capital city Lima is a huge metropolis with some fantastic night spots and great clubs. The fashionable neighbourhood of Miraflores has plenty of bars catering for its affluent residents and in-the-know travellers. Or venture into Barranco, the city’s bohemian sector where the hipsters drink local craft beers and sip cocktails well into the night. You will surely find a place to call home.

Cuisine in Lima

Food in Lima is considered some of the best in the world, because of the natural fusions that take place. Spanish influences blended with Peruvian staples, crossed with Chilean delicacies and so on. A must-see in the city is the Boulevard of Gastronomy in the Surquillo district – where Peruvian cuisine is flamboyantly on display. Don’t miss the ceviche – a popular raw fish dish that is spiced with chilli.

The Inca Trail

The most famous trek in South America, the Inca Trail takes travellers through from Cuzco to Machu Picchu. Cuzco, the former Incan capital is a wonderful city with plenty of ruins to explore. But the real challenge is travelling the five days to Machu Picchu – 2430-metres above sea level. Machu Picchu is a true wonder, sat atop a mountain range offering spectacular and humbling views of the Andes.

Lake Titicaca

Known as the highest navigable lake in the world, sitting at 3800-metres, Lake Titicaca is a huge expanse of water high in the Andes – on the border with Bolvia. The water is bracingly cold, but worth a swim – who else has swam in a lake this high? The lake is home to a large and diverse selection of animals. The verdant island of Taquile is also worth a visit, sitting 45km east of Puno, the lake’s largest city.

Nazca Lines

A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994, the images formed from these lines can only be seen from above – from the air or from the foothills that surround them. The shapes vary from geometric shapes to stylised animals, such as monkeys, spiders, lizards and birds. The Nazca Lines are in the Nazca Desert in southern Peru, 400km from Lima. Whether these mysterious images are meant for the Nazca gods or for extra-terrestrial beings has been argued for decades.

The Peruvian Amazon

Over half of Peru is covered in dense rainforest, known locally as ‘el infierno verde’ (the green hell). Seemingly endless, the Amazon jungle is the most diverse environment on Earth, with thousands of plant species and hundreds of animals vying for your attention. Jaguars, anteaters and monkeys roam the forests, anacondas lie in wait among the swamps and ancient trees protrude through the canopy. A truly breathtaking place to explore – safely with a guide.